S mills



(No Model.)

J. CARROLL.

GASKET REST.

No. 279,706. Patented June 19,1883;

UNITED STATES PATIENT OFFICE.

JOHN CARROLL, OF OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND.

CASKET-REST- SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 279,706, dated June 19, 1883.

Application filed April 6, 1883.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN CARROLL, of Owings Mills, in the county of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented a Gasket- Rest for Pall-Bearers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to a device to be used by persons acting as pall-bearers, whereby to assist in sustaining the weight of the casket and remains, the weight being transferred at will from the wrist and arm to the shoulder of the pall-bearer.

The device consists in a strap which is slung over the shoulder of the bearer, and provided at its lower end with a hook or clasp for engaging a handle, rail, or some portion of the casket, an elastic substance being interposed between the strap and hook or clasp to prevent the jarring of the remains, for even balancing of weight, and to lighten the work of the bearers.

The accompanying drawing is a perspective View of my invention.

A is a strap of leather or other suitable material, which, when in use, is slung over the shoulder of the pall-bearer. The strap A A is made in two parts, which are lapped at their lower ends and clasped between metallic plates a, or other suitable devices, constituting a clamp through which and the double thickness I of the strap rivets or other suitable fastenings are placed. The portion A is provided with a buckle, c, and the portion Awith holes (I, by meansof which the strap can be lengthened (No model.)

or shortened,as required. The metallic clamping-plates a also embrace a rubber or elastic section, b.

. O is a hook, clasp, or similar attaching device, of metal,vulcanized india-rubber, or other suitable material, the upper portion of which forms a socket for the lower end of the elastic section b, the section being riveted or secured in any suitable manner to the hook. The hook or clasp O is adapted to fit under or upon one of the handles or other part of the casket.

The strap A may be covered with crape, mourning, or other suitable material, and the clamping plates or devices a and hook, clasp,

or similar appliance, G, if of metal, may be painted or varnished black or any color.

The mode of use is apparent. Each of the pall-bearers is provided with one of the straps,

and by hooking it over, under, or around a handle or other part of the casket, the weight to be borne by him is at pleasure transferred to his shoulder, thereby greatly alleviating the labor to be performed.

I claim as my invention A shoulder-strap for the purpose named,

combined with a hooking device and an elas- I tic section interposed between the strap and hooking device, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 4th day of April, A. D. 1883.

JOHN CARROLL. 

